Jan. 8, 2008
FAYETTE, Mo. -The Central Methodist (Mo.) University Men's Basketball program reached another milestone tonight (Jan. 7) with their overtime victory against Culver-Stockton (Mo.). The victory not only moves the Runnin' Eagles up in the Heart of America Athletic (HAAC) standings, it was a coaching milestone for Central's head coach Jeff Sherman.
The CMU victory over the Culver-Stockton Wildcats gives Coach Jeff Sherman his 400th career win. Sherman is currently the all-time winningest coach at Central Methodist with an overall record of 400-338 in his 23rd season. The veteran coach is currently 10th on the list for Missouri Coaches at four-year schools.
In his 23 years at the helm of the Runnin' Eagles, coach Sherman has captured three conference titles, seven 20-plus win seasons, which includes the 1994 team that finished in the Sweet Sixteen with a record of 30-7 overall. He has taken two teams to the NAIA National tournament and has had nine different teams ranked in the NAIA Top 25. Sherman has coached 17 players that have scored over 1,000 career points, 43 players that have received postseason honors, and 10 players that have been selected as NAIA All-Americans.
In the game tonight, it all came down to the final few minutes. Central held a 68-66 lead with 2:33 remaining until Culver's Chris Booth hit a shot to tie the game at 68-68. CSC's next score came on a field goal by Jordan Harris to give the Wildcats a two-point lead with 1:20 remaining in regulation. The lead didn't last long as Central's Sid Stanley hit a game tying field goal with 1:02 remaining to tie the score at 70-70. CMU's Matt Sherman missed a field goal near the end of regulation but the game went into the extra period.
In the overtime, Central took a two point lead but Culver came back to take a 75-74 margin with 1:35 left on a shot by Coy Bainter. Bainter again came through in the clutch as he drained two foul shots to put CSC up 77-74. CMU wouldn't stay down for long as senior Sid Stanley came back to hit a field goal and draw the foul with just 49 second remaining. Stanley converted the three-point play to put CMU within one point of Culver.
The Wildcats Chris Booth turned the ball over on the next possession with 35 seconds remaining giving Central the opportunity for one shot. To the rescue again for the Runnin' Eagles was Sid Stanley who drove the lane with just four seconds remaining and drew a foul on Culver's Brice Fantazia, sending Stanley to the line. Stanley stepped up to drain the two shots to give Central the 78-77 win in overtime as Culver's last second shot was off the mark.
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